Athlon Sports Tabs Five Terps for Preseason All-Big Ten Team

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Wide receiver Stefon Diggs and defensive back William Likely are two of five Maryland football players that earned a spot on Athlon Sports 2014 preseason All-Big Ten team.

Diggs, who received first-team consideration from Phil Steele, and Likely were named to the first team, while kicker Brad Craddock earned second team honors. Linebacker Cole Farrand and defensive end Andre Monroe were selected to the third team.

Diggs is one of two wide receivers to be named to the first team. Last season, he finished second on the team in receptions and receiving yards last season despite missing the last five games with a leg injury. In seven games, Diggs had 34 receptions for 587 yards and three touchdowns and averaged 83.9 yards receiving per game.

Likely earned first team honors as specialist. The sophomore led the team in kick returns (28) and punt returns (15) in 2013. Likely averaged 12.8 yards per punt return, which ranked 17th nationally, and averaged 26.0 yards per kick return, which was the 23rd-best average in the country.

Craddock earned a spot on the second team after converting 21-of-24 field goals a season ago.

Linebacker Cole Farrand and defensive lineman Andre Monroe were named to the third team. Farrand ranked second on the team in tackles. The senior totaled 84 tackles including 4.5 for a loss. Monroe was a constant presence in the opponent’s backfield last season. Monroe led the team in tackles for loss (17.0) and sacks (9.5).